Comments on: Design Will Change http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/ BoDo Business of Design online Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:02:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.9 by: meganprusynski » Blog Archive » Redesigning Design: Imagining a Greener Future for the Design Industry http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-4393 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:42:44 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-4393 [...] Fast forward a few years, and I'm seeing even more exciting ideas propelling the design industry forward. I'm hoping it won't be long before green design is synonymous with good design, and designers are as concerned about the sustainability of their projects as the aesthetics. Design firms focused on environmentally conscious design are becoming quite common, and independent designers are beginning to realize that having knowledge of green design solutions is an asset to their businesses as well as to their clients. There is a hopeful air in the industry today and a call for change from designers themselves. [...] […] Fast forward a few years, and I'm seeing even more exciting ideas propelling the design industry forward. I'm hoping it won't be long before green design is synonymous with good design, and designers are as concerned about the sustainability of their projects as the aesthetics. Design firms focused on environmentally conscious design are becoming quite common, and independent designers are beginning to realize that having knowledge of green design solutions is an asset to their businesses as well as to their clients. There is a hopeful air in the industry today and a call for change from designers themselves. […]

]]> by: Jess Sand http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-406 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:14:00 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-406 To all, It is so gratifying to hear this kind of response, and to see other designers grappling with these issues. Rob, your points about greenwashing are well taken, and it is definitely worth discussing in a future column. One of the biggest challenges, I believe, is that people view sustainability as an all-or-nothing proposition—if you aren't doing <b>everything</b> to be sustainable, then you might as well not do <b>anything.</b> Next month, I'll be dissecting this myth, and others, as they hold so many of us back from actually taking the next step. Thanks for all your insights, and do spread the word! Best, Jess --- Roughstock Studios: Words and Pictures http://www.roughstockstudios.com To all,

It is so gratifying to hear this kind of response, and to see other designers grappling with these issues. Rob, your points about greenwashing are well taken, and it is definitely worth discussing in a future column. One of the biggest challenges, I believe, is that people view sustainability as an all-or-nothing proposition—if you aren’t doing everything to be sustainable, then you might as well not do anything.

Next month, I’ll be dissecting this myth, and others, as they hold so many of us back from actually taking the next step.

Thanks for all your insights, and do spread the word!

Best,
Jess

—
Roughstock Studios: Words and Pictures
http://www.roughstockstudios.com

]]> by: shanti hadioetomo http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-362 Sun, 15 Apr 2007 20:24:58 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-362 Hi Jess, I am greatful for the existence of this blog to begin with, as a business resource for graphic designers - things that you don't really learn at school. In addition, I'm happy to see that the importance to practice sustainability as a graphic designer has become important. Because we are communication problem solver, we should be able to move towards making our impact real: better choices for our environment therefore for ourselves. I look forward to your resources section, as that will be one section that I will use the most (not that I skip your posts) personally and professionally. Best, Shanti Hadioetomo Website & blog: <a href="http://www.shantomo.com" rel="nofollow">www.shantomo.com</a> Hi Jess,
I am greatful for the existence of this blog to begin with, as a business resource for graphic designers - things that you don’t really learn at school. In addition, I’m happy to see that the importance to practice sustainability as a graphic designer has become important. Because we are communication problem solver, we should be able to move towards making our impact real: better choices for our environment therefore for ourselves. I look forward to your resources section, as that will be one section that I will use the most (not that I skip your posts) personally and professionally.

Best,
Shanti Hadioetomo

Website & blog: www.shantomo.com

]]> by: .: Designers who Blog: Design, Illustration, Photography, Web, Advertising, Branding … http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-349 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 09:38:43 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-349 [...] The Sustainable Studio [...] […] The Sustainable Studio […]

]]> by: Rob Gough http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-348 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:04:23 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-348 Jess, Excellent post. It is nice to read a call to action that begins to push our (designers') thinking beyond the low hanging fruit when it comes to "green design". Beyond spec'ing recycled paper and soy ink (side note: discover <a href="http://ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=27911" rel="nofollow">the truth about soy</a>). More to the point, beyond thinking of green design until the end stages of a project. Perhaps more we can begin to approach our projects in a new way...asking questions upfront like, Can this message be delivered on a smaller format? Or maybe a format that is entirely paperless? If paper is a required, is that fill of color in the background necessary? And so on... These days it seems there are so many companies jumping on the green movement without any significant change or well-planned policy shift behind their efforts. The many challenges that meaningful environmental protection presents are too large to placate with lip service, a shallow chapter in a corporate sustainability report, or another watermark on our paper. As designers, particularly those of us who work with a variety of companies, we are are in a unique and powerful position to work with these companies to help shape real changes within the industry and beyond. With power comes responsibility. Again, thanks for the article and keep up the good work. Rob Gough Website: <a href="http://www.goughgraphics.com" rel="nofollow">www.goughgraphics.com</a> Blog: <a href="http://www.drawingonexperience.com" rel="nofollow">www.drawingonexperience.com</a> Jess,

Excellent post.

It is nice to read a call to action that begins to push our (designers’) thinking beyond the low hanging fruit when it comes to “green design”. Beyond spec’ing recycled paper and soy ink (side note: discover the truth about soy). More to the point, beyond thinking of green design until the end stages of a project. Perhaps more we can begin to approach our projects in a new way…asking questions upfront like, Can this message be delivered on a smaller format? Or maybe a format that is entirely paperless? If paper is a required, is that fill of color in the background necessary? And so on…

These days it seems there are so many companies jumping on the green movement without any significant change or well-planned policy shift behind their efforts. The many challenges that meaningful environmental protection presents are too large to placate with lip service, a shallow chapter in a corporate sustainability report, or another watermark on our paper.

As designers, particularly those of us who work with a variety of companies, we are are in a unique and powerful position to work with these companies to help shape real changes within the industry and beyond. With power comes responsibility.

Again, thanks for the article and keep up the good work.

Rob Gough
Website: www.goughgraphics.com
Blog: www.drawingonexperience.com

]]> by: Eric Karjaluoto http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-345 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 17:46:35 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/design-will-change/#comment-345 Hi Jess, This is a great post--we're so happy that you are making this issue a long-standing topic for BODO readers. You've made many strong points. It's true; we're only peripherally involving ourselves in the issue by choosing better paper and inks. This goes so much deeper, and we have to ask bigger questions if we're truly the problem solvers we like to believe we are. The other issue that you raise is that we don't need to know all of the answers. Honestly, how could we? That being said, it's sure a good time to start educating ourselves, making small steps and engaging in the discussion. I compare this situation to a patient being informed of an imminent heart attack, if life-changes are not made. It would likely be a bitter pill to swallow: needing to change diet and exercise more. Given the choice of a different life or no life at all however, I believe that most would prefer the former. This is a wonderful opportunity for us, as designers, to make the difference we always believed we could. Thank you Jess; we're so pleased to have your support for this effort. Best, Eric Karjaluoto --- Personal: www.erickarjaluoto.com Work: www.smashlab.com Blog: www.ideasonideas.com Please visit: www.designcanchange.org Hi Jess,

This is a great post–we’re so happy that you are making this issue a long-standing topic for BODO readers. You’ve made many strong points.

It’s true; we’re only peripherally involving ourselves in the issue by choosing better paper and inks. This goes so much deeper, and we have to ask bigger questions if we’re truly the problem solvers we like to believe we are.

The other issue that you raise is that we don’t need to know all of the answers. Honestly, how could we? That being said, it’s sure a good time to start educating ourselves, making small steps and engaging in the discussion.

I compare this situation to a patient being informed of an imminent heart attack, if life-changes are not made. It would likely be a bitter pill to swallow: needing to change diet and exercise more. Given the choice of a different life or no life at all however, I believe that most would prefer the former.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us, as designers, to make the difference we always believed we could. Thank you Jess; we’re so pleased to have your support for this effort.

Best,

Eric Karjaluoto

—

Personal: www.erickarjaluoto.com
Work: www.smashlab.com
Blog: www.ideasonideas.com
Please visit: www.designcanchange.org

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